Renal glycosuria in Guyana - abstract

ABSTRACT

This has been defined as an inborn defect in renal tubular reabsorption of glucose, with unremitting urinary excretion of sugar with a low or low normal fasting blood sugar and a normal glucose tolerance. True renal diabetes is relatively rare. Apparently acquired renal glycosuria due to nephrotoxic agents occur and these cases appear to be in this category as they are of late onset. Many types of bush teas are consumed for various reasons in Guyana and since such practice is common throughout the Caribbean it seems likely that similar cases would not be uncommon in other parts of the area. Most of these cases showed intermittent glycosuria and a few complained of polyphagia, polyuria and polydipsia, together with a feeling of weakness. Some of these were of acute onset. Glucose tolerance tests were done on them when they were noted to have glycosuria. Those showing a low fasting sugar and a normal curve were followed up at six monthly intervals - a few of them began to show steady excretion of sugar in the urine with increasing hyperglycemia. A few of these have become diabetic now (AU)